New Farmers

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According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, forty percent of US farmers are now 55 years old or older – and the average age of this population continues to rise. In fact, for every farmer or rancher under the age of 25, there are five who are 75 or older, according to the 2007 USDA Census of Agriculture: Farmers by Age. As a result, the US is in desperate need of a new generation of farmers to sow the seeds for the future of food.

Fortunately, the ever-growing interest in food and agricultural issues has served to inspire many young people to pursue careers in sustainable farming. As the population of young farmers begins to take shape, supportive resources are being made readily available, including online courses, incubator farms, and other support networks. Meanwhile, social media has enabled farmers to connect with one another and share the trials and tribulations of farming. Read on to learn how new farmers are being supported and to find opportunities for connection and further education.

Young Farmer Organizations:

The Greenhorns– A grassroots nonprofit organization that recruits, promotes, and supports the new generation of young farmers. They organize events, and are best known for their documentary film, The Greenhorns, about new farmers across the United States. They have also created the Greenhorns Field Guide for Beginning Farmers, a comprehensive guide to all aspects of farming, from gaining access to farmland to securing USDA grants.

National Young Farmers Coalition– A group of young, sustainable farmers who organize to fight for policy change, learn from one another, and build a stronger community.

Farming Opportunities:

Incubator Farms– Among the greatest challenges faced by new farmers is gaining access to farmland. Incubator farms help new farmers overcome this obstacle by leasing land and equipment to them, and by providing hands-on training. The programs strive to help participants develop the skills and experience to eventually start farms of their own. Examples of incubator farms:Farm Start, Ontario CANorth Carolina State UniversityViva Farms, Washington

Initiatives to Support New Farmers:

Grow NYC New Farmer Development Project– “The New Farmer Development Project (NFDP) identifies, educates, and supports immigrants with agricultural experience to establish their own economically and environmentally sustainable small farm businesses in the NYC region.”

Intervale Center Farms Program – “Founded in 1990, the Farms Program leases land, equipment, greenhouses, irrigation and storage facilities to small independent farms. Each year, these farms produce fresh produce on 135 acres of land and contribute 60 full-time, part-time and seasonal jobs to the Burlington economy.”Cornell Small Farms Program– Cornell University offers online courses for new farmers to learn about business plans, marketing, and crop production.

Beginning Farmer and Rancher Opportunity Act – A bill intended for inclusion in the 2012 Farm Bill that “highlights federal programs that help support economic opportunities for young and beginning farmers and ranchers. The bill addresses many of the barriers that new agriculture entrepreneurs face such as limited access to land and markets, hyper land price inflation, high input costs, and a lack of sufficient support networks.”

Cooperative Extension System– The USDA’s Cooperative Extension System has offices in each US state, where experts provide farmers with research-based agricultural information and resources. Use this map to find an office near you.Beginning Farmers– forum to share ideas and best practices plus resources for new farmers, activists and policy makers.

Start2Farm– The USDA National Agricultural Library resource designed to assist new farmers and hosts of the annual Beginning Farmers and Ranchers Conference.

Learn More

For young farmers nationwide, Severine von Tscharner Fleming is a fearless leader. A farmer, activist and organizer based in the Hudson Valley, New York, Severine speaks for a generation of young farmers, yet is acutely aware of the need for each far

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